See 400 different puppet artists come together for a week-long festival of creativity. There will be workshops for puppetry professionals, puppet shows, a parade, and more. You can register is through the website, and day passes are available.

The Geek Partnership Society’s Arts Initiative hosts a figure-drawing salon at the Waterbury Center at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. For a $5 fee, attendees can participate in a three-hour drawing session that “will include short, medium, and long poses, which allow artists to engage with the subject in varying ways” and that “will use a combination of nude and costumed models to support and foster fantasy and science-fiction art.” The goal of hosting this event is to “cultivate a community of artists to share ideas, support each other, and create.”

The Geek Partnership Society’s Photography Club meets at the Waterbury Center at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month to discuss topics related to photography and/or participate in photo shoots. This month, the focus will be reviewing the 30-day photography challenge from the club’s May meeting.

Hear some catchy tunes and learn how to dance while experiencing the tapestry of Twin Cities culture at 9 Nights of Music. This weekly event begins with dance instruction before leading to musical performances. This week’s performer is Karibuni.

Come and experience YogaQuest, a blend of yoga and fanfiction storytelling led by certified yoga instructors. Experience a yoga workout experience and a story at the same time. This week’s theme is Firefly, so get yourself ready for the ‘verse.

What: Educational, Arts When: Wednesday, July 19th; Thursday, July 20th; and Friday, July 21st at 6:00 p.m. Where: Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts

This three-day art course gives teens a chance to learn what it takes to bring monsters to life, from the seed of an idea to a fully conceived creation that might show up on screen or on the page. The class will be led by Jordain Cheng-Kinnander, a local fantasy and concept-artillustrator. Registration is $55, and basic drawing or illustration experience is recommended.

The Twin Cities Elysium Society hosts a casual meetup on the third Wednesday of each month. This group is a “community and a resource for all manner of goth, not-goth, darksider, freak, punk, metal, steam, cyber, rivet, Victorian, romantic, grufti, espeluznante, emo, otaku, morbidly inclined, dark creative, what-have-you (you know who you are).”

Embark on a voyage of mystery and history aboard the Jonathan Padelford, a riverboat on the Mississippi. Cruise down the river while doing your part to solve a mystery, taking in the sights, and enjoying a beverage (as amateur sleuths are known to do). This is a great opportunity to learn about the 1920s gangster sanctuary that was St. Paul. Tickets are $18, or $15 for members.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is presenting movies in various parks throughout the city over the course of the summer, and one of the screenings this week is Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Harrison Ford classic involving stubble, adventure, traps, relics, and danger. This film is presented with English audio and Spanish subtitles. This free showing begins 15 minutes after sundown.

The Haunted Basement will be hosting a spooky summer happy hour to raise funds for its infamous Halloween experience at the Soap Factory. A percentage of every pint sold will go to the Haunted Basement, swag will be on offer, and merchandise will be available for purchase.

PLAY/TEST is a monthly series hosted by tech nonprofit Glitch that offers the “opportunity to play works-in-progress, debug recent builds, test out new concepts, and connect with community.” At PLAY/TEST, attendees will find “alphas, betas, and even paper prototypes of games made by students and local game developers.” Creators, players, and game lovers of all skill levels are welcome.

This is your opportunity to see the Minnesota Zoo after hours and without children around. Food and beverages will be available and exhibits will be open later than normal, with Discovery Bay staying open until 9:00. Tickets are $10, or free for members.

The theme for the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s monthly Third Thursday event for July is Bike Night. The museum invites you to learn about bike safety, play #BikeNightMia Bingo, hit the photo booth, and check out the latest and greatest bike gear. There will be live music from Catbath, eats from the Cafe Racer food truck, and and cold sweets from the Leprechaun’s Dreamcycle. There is a group bike ride ahead of this event, setting out from Surly Brewing at 5:30.

The Geek Partnership Society’s Crafty Geek club and its sub-club Make It Sew meet Thursday evenings at the Waterbury Center and invite you to “bring your crafty stuff to do” or to “hang out and work with the crafty stuff we have here!”

Geek Slink is a bellydance class intended to be a welcoming and safe space to focus on fun, fusion, and fitness. Classes are open to any level of experience, body type, and gender; the 6:30 p.m. is for beginners, and intermediate classes start at 7:30 p.m. Classes are $15 for walk-ins, or 60$ for a 5 class punch card. Free trial classes are available.

The Girls-Only Comic Club hosts a Weekly Comics Chat on Thursday nights at the Kitty Cat Klub, where there will be “Coffee! Comics! Waffles! Talking!” Additional information about this event is posted on the Girls Only Comic Club’s Facebook group. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to join.

Double-Blind Improv, presented by Fearless Comedy Productions, is a “short-form improv show where you never know what might happen because neither do we!” Performers and improv games are chosen at random during the show. This show takes place on the third Thursday of every month.

Another free outdoor screening this week from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is Pan, a film of swashbuckling fantasy adventure and derring-do. This free showing begins 15 minutes after sundown.

Mischief Toy Store in Saint Paul invites you to experience some Magic with them this Friday night. Entry is $5; all players will receive prizes. This weekly event is limited to 24 players and typically lasts until about 9:00 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.

Do you have what it takes to save the Federation? Find out at one of Glitch’s four virtual-reality stations in an evening of local multiplayer VR lad by Mark Lacroix. The event will last until 9:00 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to drop in whenever they are able.

After gaining all of this experience with various yoga poses, you’ve earned the right to level up and dive deeper into familiar poses, and even learn new feats (poses). There is a $15 charge for this advanced class.

Enjoy the geeky atmosphere at Byte and take part in a raffle to benefit the Geek Partnership Society. The raffle will take place at 8:30 p.m. and includes prizes like tickets to GPS’s Pirate Cruise, a scimitar, and geeky art from local creators. A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit GPS.

Discover St. Paul’s LGBTQ history on a walking tour led by Steward Van Cleve, the author of Land of 10,000 Loves: A History of Queer Minnesota. This tour includes walking on uneven terrain in the footsteps of greats like Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, and Oscar Wilde. Tickets are $14, or $11 for members of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Yet another event held at the YogaQuest YQdio this week is Saturday Morning Cartoons, which features “classic (and not-so-classic) Saturday morning cartoons, plus yoga, plus the stupidest cereals in existence!” The yoga practice will consist of “some gentle wake-me-up vinyasa followed by a session of stretchy, restorative yoga, all set to cartoons, and wrapped up with a bowl of delicious technicolor goodness.”

Come to the Bakken and see 3D-printed exoskeletons, motion capture for physical therapy, advanced drone tech, and more. Expect hands-on activities and demonstrations from partners like 3M Visiting Wizards, Magic Arms, Optum Innovation, and Maverick Drone Systems. These activities are included in the $10 price of admission (free for members).

This family-friendly event is a great opportunity to see kites in action, take part in craft demonstrations, hear music, and see a variety of booths from the community. Musical acts include Bob and the Beachcombers, Circus Manduhai, Mariachi Son de Morelos, and convention regulars Harisen Daiko at 1:30.

Celebrate Jane Austen’s life shortly after the bicentennial of her death (July 18) with a movie and discussion at the Sumner Library in Minneapolis. Love and Friendship will be screened, followed by a discussion led by a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Yet another free outdoor screening this week from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a heist film about the Death Star, ragtag pals, terrifying robots, and capes. This free showing begins 15 minutes after sundown.

What: Gaming, Meetup, Comics, Community When: Sunday, July 23rd at 12:00 p.m. Where: The Source Comics and Games

Shieldmaiden Sunday is a dedicated space for female nerds and geeks at Source. This will be a recurring weekly event providing a space for women to play games, chat about comics, cosplay, or just enjoy the company of other geeks.

So, which of these events will you be attending? What events would you like to see featured in the future? Let us know in the comments section below or contact us via email. And don’t forget to add your events to the Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!